Gnostic 20 Questions: An Exercise in Thoughtfulness

Father Jordan posed these questions to any readers willing to answer them, with the possibility of the answers being included in his forthcoming book. I thought I would post them here as well for my own edification:

1) What's the difference between gnosis and Gnosticism?

Gnosticism simply refers to the group of intrepid individuals who search for the truth and for awareness of God within, by whatever means or paths are at hand. Gnosis is the realization OF that awareness. Many today, especially in our post-DVC world, use the word Gnosticism as a label to use against anyone with the audacity to question the validity of the New Testament or Christian history or who don't swim with the school so to speak. Be they I mean, atheists, agnostics, etc...

2) Is Gnosticism a distinct religion, an approach to religion, or a sect within another religion?

All of the above. It is a distinct religious movement with the goal of helping its fellow humans to recognize the Divine within, to be resurrected in life, and to attain Gnosis and salvation from ignorance. It is also an approach to existing religions, in the sense of viewing religious gospels and scriptures as allegorical myths that point to a greater revelation. They are also sects within other religions that follow a more mystic approach or view their literalist brethren as initiates into a greater Mystery, i.e. Kabala vs. Judaism, etc... (the other examples escape me at this moment!)

3) As a Gnostic, have you achieved gnosis? What is your experience of gnosis? If gnosis is "knowledge" of the Divine, do you believe in God?

No, I have not achieved gnosis per say, but the experience of God's love is beginning to creep into my daily awareness as well as my meditation practices. I believe however, that once one attains gnosis, it is not a belief in God that ensues (belief is implied since one would not look for gnosis otherwise) but a knowledge of God. There is a difference. Belief implies faith, knowledge implies certainty.

4) How do you express your Gnosticism in your daily life?

With a expressed compassion for my fellow humans. If someone upsets me, I search for why they would have done that which upset me rather than dwell on being upset. I live more mindfully, aware of the beauty that is around me and the greater purpose for existing. The material holds no attraction for me, or at least when faced with a great pair of shoes, I would buy them out of appreciation for their intrinsic coolness rather than what other people thought of them or how they would make me appear to others. And certainly only if I had the cash! Credit Cards are hateful life-controlling little suckers.

5) I think I'm a Gnostic! What do I do now?

Run the other way! Once you take the blue pill, there is no turning back.

6) If the sacraments don't lead to gnosis, automatically or even eventually, what's the role / need for the sacraments in Gnosticism?

They prepare the mind and temper the spirit. Through these rituals and their symbols we hope to inspire and move or higher self towards the unknown. It is similar to art or poetry which try and convey a deeper meaning through it's imagery or words. Also ritual repetition breeds familiarity and with it a recognition of its purpose. Like when you first learn to perform a proper jump shot rather than lob up a granny shot. Eventually you stop thinking about how to shoot and focus on the goal of getting the ball in the hoop. I hate sports analogies but it works and I'll go with it.

7) Is the Demiurge real? What role does having the Demiurge or Archons in your world-view play? Is an evil god the cause of evil in the world? Does this evil god create earthquakes and tsunamis?

The Demiurge is a metaphor for our ego, the Archons a metaphor for our senses. To believe in him as an actual entity is to fall prey to the same literalist views that most modern day Christians are afflicted with (it is a necessary starting point but hardly the final stop in the overall journey). The characters themselves remind me of my own human failings, and with that recognition, gives me the strength and power to attempt to overcome them. To use the term evil is to again fall into the literalist tendency to paint things black and white. Evil is a matter of perspective, one side always labels the other side evil and their side good, and vice versa. To blame an evil God for the evilness in our world is to excuse us of our responsibility in that evil. The evilness is in man's inherent animal nature and our unenlightened state. As to natural disasters, I firmly believe that man's raping of Mother Nature both in deed and in spirit is what causes these "natural disasters". Our reality is one that we have built with our shared consciousness, is it so implausible that that shared consciousness could affect it on that kind of scale? I think not.

8) What's the difference between Gnosticism and "mainstream" Christianity?

Mainstream Christians are literalists that view their scriptures as historical fact. God is the big cheese sitting in heaven ruling our every move and judging our every action. They view a life well lived to be rewarded with a free pass to heaven. Make a mistake and you go to hell. Don't believe in God, go to hell. There is little thought put into the beliefs and less contemplation in what that means to them as an individual. Gnostics on the other hand view all knowledge as sacred and worth knowing. They will seek wisdom in any teachings regardless of what "religion" it came from. What is important is the journey, not the goal. They view scripture as allegorical myths that hide secret truths that need to teased out of their under-meanings through contemplation and meditation. To them God is a Big Mind that encompasses the universe, unknowable and ineffable, who gains consciousness through the consciousness of the beings within that universe.

9) What role does the concept of sin play in Gnosticism?

None whatsoever. We learn, we adapt, we grow. To err is to be human.

10) If it's gnosis that saves, what is the role of faith? If gnosis is necessary for salvation, are non-Gnostics saved? Saved from what?

Gnosis saves us from ignorance. One must have faith to begin the journey that their is something towards which we travel. When one reaches that goal, one ceases to have faith and begins to have knowledge. We are all saved in the sense of returning to God when we die since we never left Him in the first place. Gnosis only gives us the opportunity to know God and His love in life.

11) What is the role of the Divine Feminine in Gnosticism? Why are some attracted by this idea, while others are repelled? Is Sophia a Goddess?

The Divine Feminine plays a few parts. She represents the nurturing compassionate side of God, the creator. To incorporate her into Gnosticism is simply a restoration of the whole picture rather than the stunted one sided viewpoint of most religions of today. She also represents one half of our selves, to make the male and female one is to transform ourselves into a whole human. For those that are repelled by this idea, that is understandable. Religion has been male dominated for 2000 years, it is a new and radical idea and would take some time to get used to however natural it actually is. Sophia is simply one more aspect of God, as is the Son or Logos, they are all the same.

12) Why do you think orthodox Christianity is still threatened by the message of Gnosticism?

Gnostics deal in grey rather than black and white. They are the searchers and the knowers. We are often afraid of what we do not understand and to the Orthodox Christians, Gnostics gleefully search for and embrace that which was unknown. For the average Christian, there is a great satisfaction in a little book having all they will ever need to know all wrapped up in a nicely wrapped package. To face the fact that it isn't is too terrifying for most to deal with. It a sense, a Gnostic represents a realization of that fear.

13) If you admit there is not one, continuous, unbroken Gnostic church throughout history, how is Gnosticism not a "revival" religion, or a kind of "dress up"?

Gnosticism is more than a movement or a belief system. It is a way of looking at the world, of knowing God by knowing oneself. Because of this, it transcends the limits of tradition or religion, and becomes a way of life. Gnostics are not tied to one fount of knowledge but looks for wisdom from many avenues. It is not of one religion, but an aspect of all religions.

14) How does "the occult" factor into Gnosticism? Do you practice ceremonial magic or cast spells or read tarot cards?

Yes, I read tarot cards as a way to help my spiritual maturity evolve. The occult is there to help us attune to what our higher consciousness is trying to tell us, to make the upper like the lower and the lower like the upper. Through these tools of symbols and rituals, we can become more aware and perceive more easily what was not readily perceivable before. In this way we can become a more whole individual consciously. Is it a requirement to use the occult to aid in our attainment of gnosis? No, I don't believe so. They are tools just like meditation is also a tool.

15) Do you believe in reincarnation?

I did but no longer do. It is too convenient an explanation. Also, to ascribe a succession of lives to each individual is to restrict the Divine to the limitations of time, which cannot and does not exist for the Pleroma. The essence of God that abides in each of us I suppose could be understood as being reincarnated is the same fashion that a table top fountain draws from a reservoir of water, splashes it out for our enjoyment, lets it fall back into the reservoir, only to be splashed out again. But even that imposes a restriction on the Divine by saying that there is a limited amount of the Divine to draw on and so it's essence must be re-used.

16) Is Gnosticism best pursued in a specifically Gnostic organization, exclusively solo, or in a broader community (ie Unitarianism, Society of Friends, Theosophical Society?)

A little of each. Within a specifically gnostic community, you get the benefit of fraternizing with like minded individuals. This sharing of ideas and learnings is invaluable to your own personal journey. Solo efforts are required as well, since in essence the path to gnosis is the path to self knowledge. No one else can do this for you or give it to you. Being a part of a broader community will expose you to differing points of view, allowing you to flesh out your own thoughts. By being challenged we can explore our thoughts more thoroughly than if everyone agreed with you all the time.

17) How will the growing popularity of Gnosticism affect what's happening now? How will it affect your practice and expression as a Gnostic?

I have to admit that I worry about it a little bit. With the power of popular culture and its ability to twist and skew what was originally pure and true, I'm not sure I want it anywhere near Gnosticism. Man's tendency to define and restrict would hinder the realization of gnosis to no end. Most of the world is not ready or even capable of understanding the path of a Gnostic and with notoriety comes infamy. I'm pretty sure most Muslims are really nice peaceful people, but turn on any American news channel and Muslims are all terrorists in training. I mean, aren't all Gnostics world-hating atheists that hold the flesh in contempt? ;)

18) How did you come to identify yourself as a Gnostic? Are you "out" about this identity?

I have always considered myself spiritual and have always quested for a path that fit for me. I have only learned of the term Gnostic and the beliefs behind it recently. And no, I am not "out" yet or at least it is not something I broadcast. Hi my name is Shawn, the Gnostic. If the discussion of religion comes up I partake with my view. What happens after that, happens. Since I don't believe I can "save" anyone, finding new recruits is not really a focus.

19) To which Gnostic historical figure do you most relate (even if that person was not Gnostic per se, such as Joan of Arc)? What's the most meaningful Gnostic scripture to you personally, and why?

If by historical figure you mean actual person, I would say John the Baptist. It's not like I know his favorite colour or what he does for fun on the weekend, but there is something about his story that touches. Having said that, as I continue my studies, new "Gnostic" figures keep coming to light so it is sort of a moving target. I so far have found the Gospel of Philip the most enlightening but I cannot say at this stage that I have read them all or fully understand the ones that I have.

20) What is the most important thing that Gnosticism has to offer non-Gnostics? What's the one thing you want everybody to know about Gnosticism?

Gnosticism offers freedom from the guilt of sin and the expectations of societies leaders. It gives you permission to be a rebel, to find your own truths your own way. It makes religion a fun and rewarding experience rather than an onerous duty you partake in to save your soul. I would want everyone to know that we are all already saved since we never left God in the first place. That we are here to find our way back to Him and that it is an exclusively personal journey. There is a tremendous freedom in that knowledge.